Jet propelled channeled aircraft



Aug. 24, 1954 w. R. CUSTER JET PROPELLED CHANNELED AIRCRAFT Original Filed Sept. 19, 1947 my n ma H m x w M Y n n w p U z MIIMIIII Hun l OHM 0 wIIHIPHII AHUH a Patented Aug. 24, 1954 2,687,262 JET PROPELLED 'CHANNELEDV AIRCRAFT Willard R. Custer, Hagerstown, a. 1 Original application September s, 1647.86. 2!

No. 775,107, now Patent No. 2,611,556, dated September 23, 1952. Divided and this application November 27, 1951, Serial No. 258,370

3 Claims. 1

This invention is a jet propelled channeled aircraft and is a division of my co-pending application filed September 19, 1947, Serial No. 775,107,

new Patent 2,611,556.

As appears from the objects of my said application, Serial No. 775,107, this invention contemplates the use of the Custer channel wing with jet or rocket propulsion means for use as an aircraft or pilotless missile. The Custer channel provides high static liftin potential and when equipped with jet propulsion means, in accordance with the teaching of this invention, will induce a rearward flow of fluid adjacent the inside channel surface to provide an aircraft suitable for flight at transonic and supersonic speeds combined with high lift at low speeds during take-ofi and landing.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanyin drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an airplane or missile, constructed in accordance with the present invention, embodying a plurality of jets mounted in the bottom walls of the channels;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a modified form of the invention in the nature of a flyin wing embodying a channel with jets mounted in the channel;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a to plan view of a further modifica tion of the invention wherein a channel per se is employed having a plurality of ram jets or rockets mounted in the channel, and

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the channel taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows.

In the form of invention illustrated in Fig. 1 of the invention, a fuselage 6 is used which may be of conventional design and is equipped with laterally-extending channels 1 which are semicylindrical, open upwardly and extend in the direction of flight. The channels are provided with braces 8 which extend across the channel from a side of the fuselage to the inner wall of the channel as shown in the drawing. Also in this form of the invention airfoiled wings 9 are disposed contiguous with and spanwise from the channels 7. I

On the bottom of the fuselage a retractible landing gear in is mounted which may be folded into the bottom of the fuselage as shown in dotted lines.

A plurality of jets, rockets or other jet propulsion means I l are mounted in the channel 1,

preferably in the base, as shown in the drawing. The inlet ports of the jets being in the leading edges of the channels, the outlet openings being arranged in the bases of the channels intermediate the fore and aft edges thereof after the man ner shown in the modified form of invention illustrated in Fig. 2, hereinafter described. By arranging the jets in this manner, a rearward flow of fluid will be induced adjacent the inside channel surface to provide an aircraft or missile adapted for flight at any desired speeds combined with high lift even at low speeds durin take-off and landing.

In the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, a flying wing i2 is provided, the wing being equipped with ailerons it, as illustrated in Fig. 2. Upright spaced fins or baffles [4 are mounted on the top surface of the wing to form a channel l5. Jets or rockets 16 are mounted in the base of the channel with theirinlet ports I 1 opening through the wing at a point adjacent the leading edge of the latter, as shown in Fig. 2. The outlet or exhaust ports of the jets, designated I8, open through the base of the channel, at a point approximately midway the ends of the latter, as shown in Fig. 2. The jets or rockets l6 operate in this form of the invention the same as the jets I! in the form of invention illustrated in Fig. 1.

The form of invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 consists of a channel 19 which opens upwardly and extends in the direction of flight and may be of any desired shape such as semi-cylindrical, as shown in Fig. 1, or substantially square, as shown in the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The, base of the channel carries a plurality of jets or rockets 20, the inlet ports 2! of which are adjacent the leading edge of the wing while the outlet or exhaust ports 22 terminate at a point approximately midway the ends of the channel. In this form of invention the jets or rockets operate in exactly the same manner and with the same results as the jets ll of Fig. l and the jets it of Figs. 2 and 3.

While preferred forms of the invention are herein shown and described, it is understood that various changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

What I claim is:

1. An aircraft comprising an upwardly opening channel having a leading edge and disposed in the direction of flight, and jet propulsion means mounted in the channel, said jet propulsion means having an inlet opening facing in thedirection of flight immediately adjacent the lead ing edge of the channel, said means having an expulsion end intermediate the fore and aft ends of the channel to efiect a rearward flow of fluid adjacent the inside channel surface.

2. An aircraft comprising an upwardly opening channel having a leading edge and disposed in the direction of flight, and jet propulsion means mounted in the channel and having an opening facing in the direction of flight in the front sur face of the leading edge of the channel, said means havin an expulsion end intermediate the 1 fore and aft ends of the channel to effect a rearward flow of fluid adjacent the inside channel surface.

3. An aircraft comprisingan upwardly opening channel having a leading edge and disposed 15 in the direction of flight, and jet propulsion means in the channel including jet inlet openings in the leading edge of the channel opening in the direction of flight and complemental jet outlet openings intermediate the fore and aft edges of the channel to induce a rearward flow of fluid adjacent the inside channel surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,353,955 Hering Sept. 28, 1920 2,004,256 Trey June 11, 1935 2,437,732 Ferrel Mar. 16, 1948 

